Upon beginning a farm, the player first creates a customizable avatar. There are six plots of land, two of which are in the process of growing, and two (eggplant and strawberries) which are fully grown.

The game is based around the market, where items can be purchased: seeds, trees, animals, buildings, decorations, vehicles, and more land using "farm coins," the generic money of FarmVille (which is earned by selling crops) or "farm cash" (which the player earns at a rate of one dollar per experience level). A player can also choose to buy FarmVille coins or cash from Zynga. The player plants seeds, which grow into crops, which can be harvested to earn farm coins. Animals and trees can also be purchased and can also be harvested for profits. The player earns experience points (XP) by purchasing items, and regular tasks such as plowing, planting and harvesting. Earning XP increases the player's level, unlocking more items. Most items can be bought with farm coins, although some (e.g., certain decorations) must be purchased with farm cash.

Each plot of land costs 15 farm coins to plow and depending on the crop planted, new seeds can range from 10 to 220 farm coins. Each crop sells for a set price that is greater than the price paid for the seed. The ratio of seed cost to coin yield for crops varies based as a factor of harvest time and initial seed cost. For example, raspberries, with a two hour growth time, cost 20 coins and yield 46 coins per plot, with a ratio of 1:2.3. Watermelons, with a four day growth time, cost 130 coins and yield 348 coins, for a ratio of 1:2.68. Depending on the plant, growth time can vary from two hours (raspberries, nachos (for April Fools day)) to four days (artichokes, watermelons, yellow melons). If the crop is not harvested within the amount of growing time, it will wilt and must be plowed again, unless the unwither feature is applied. For example, pumpkins will grow in 8 hours. If the pumpkins are not harvested within 16 hours of planting, they will begin to wither and die, and the player will not be able to harvest them for farm coins or XP, unless the unwither feature is applied.

As a player progresses, they can expand their farm (for a payment of farm cash or farm coins) to allow for more room for farming, animals, and decorations.

Like most Zynga games, FarmVille leverages the social networking aspects of Facebook. Along with their own farm, players can invite their friends to join and be neighbors. Acquiring neighbors has benefits in gameplay — not only can one earn money and experience (by visiting and helping on neighboring farms), but with eight or more neighbors, a player can expand their farm and own more acreage. Gifts (such as trees, animals, and decorations) can be sent to both confirmed neighbors and any other Facebook friends even if they do not use the application. The Gifts received from neighbors usually have relatively expensive buy prices in the market; so getting gifts from friends is one of the best ways to get relatively expensive items. Many of the items available to gift to friends are not available in the FarmVille market. This includes many themed decorations.

A variety of "Ribbons" are also available to players, representing the player's achievement of a series of set tasks. The player first obtains a yellow ribbon for completing a simple version of the task, then progresses through white, red, and blue ribbons by completing progressively more difficult versions of the same task. For example, the "Fenced In" Yellow ribbon requires that the player purchase and display on his farm 5 sections of fence. The white ribbon for the same task requires 50 sections of fence be set up, and the red and blue ribbons get progressively harder and more expensive to complete. There are presently thirty-one different tasks, for a total of 124 ribbons available to be earned. In addition to bragging rights, a player earning a ribbon gets a tangible reward for his efforts, which may include a quantity of farm coins, an experience bonus, the award of a special item, or some other benefit. Each ribbon may be earned only once.

Players may also attempt to complete "Collections." There are currently five of these, each consisting of six items of varying rarities. Collection items may be found by performing common farming tasks such as plowing, harvesting trees, and tending to chickens. or may be gifted to the player by their Farmville neighbors. Upon completing each collection, the player may turn the collection in for substantial farm coin and experience bonuses, as well as a large amount of fuel to run farm machinery. Each collection may be completed as many times as the player desires.